South of Midnight Preview Highlights Southern Gothic Setting and Emotional Themes

Compulsion Games' upcoming action-adventure game blends folklore, stop-motion-inspired visuals, and a poignant narrative in a richly detailed Deep South setting.

South of Midnight is set to launch on April 8, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass, offering a linear action-adventure experience with a focus on storytelling and exploration.
The game follows Hazel, a young Black protagonist with magical 'Weaver' powers, as she navigates a hurricane-ravaged Southern town in search of her mother while confronting supernatural forces called Haints.
The game’s stop-motion-inspired animation style and handcrafted aesthetic evoke a unique Southern Gothic atmosphere but have drawn mixed reactions due to performance inconsistencies, which the developers aim to address before release.
Gameplay combines platforming, exploration, and combat, with Hazel using her weaving abilities to traverse environments, solve puzzles, and engage in strategic battles that emphasize resource management and timing.
The narrative explores themes of trauma, community, and resilience, drawing inspiration from Southern folklore and literature, with a standout musical score that enhances the game’s emotional depth and cultural authenticity.